Smith has moved quickly to bring in Blakeman

Telford boss Rob Smith has pulled off a major coup by signing highly-rated Southport midfielder Liam Blakeman, 25.

"He can probably guarantee you 15 goals a season from midfield, and his passing range is really good," Smith told BBC Radio Shropshire.

"For a player of that calibre, you could expect to pay �15-20,000, but he was out of contract and Southport dragged their heels.

"There was other interest in him, so we moved very quickly to get him."

Blakeman is Smith's first signing after the disappointment of missing out in the Blue Square North play-offs, and he is promising more.

"We're going for real quality rather than quantity, and if I can get a couple more of the calibre of Liam, then it's looking good."